The Conifer Beanie was originally released as part of the “My Favorite Hat” Club by Madelinetosh in September 2024. It is now available as a single pattern.

My favorite kind of hat is one that sits fairly close to my head; it should be a beanie that isn’t too tall, and it should have a ribbed brim that folds outward for a bit of drama, just like a classic watch cap. I also love to incorporate architectural cables in my work, so naturally I’ve included a series of lines in this pattern for the Conifer Beanie. It’s easy to see the shape of a fir tree in this piece, especially when it’s knit up in a lovely green like Madelinetosh’s Tannenbaum colorway. I also wanted this cap to be somewhat adjustable: since the brim is folded outward and up over the body of the cap when worn, it can be styled so that it creates a taller brim and a shorter cap, or a shorter brim and a taller cap – however you like to wear it best!

Construction Notes
The cap is worked in the round, beginning with a brim knit in 1x1 ribbing. The main motif consisting of a series of 2/2 cabled lines is both charted and included in written instructions. The motif is worked once along the left side of the cap and then a second time along the right side of the cap to complete a round. The cabled lines zigzag around the cap, changing direction at each quarter where they meet in a column of four knit stitches. In order to allow the lines of the motif to remain uninterrupted, the decreases at the crown are completed on the sides of each repeat (which become the front and back of the cap when worn). The final stitches of the crown are grafted together using Kitchener Stitch, which gives the top a nice, polished finish.

Sizes:
One Size

Measurements:
19”/48.25 cm in circumference and 9.5”/24 cm high from top of crown to brim when unfolded. The height of the cap with a folded brim can range from approximately 6.25”/16 cm to 7.5”/19 cm, depending on how much of the ribbed brim you decide to fold up.

Yarn:
Madelinetosh Tosh DK, 100% Superwash Merino Wool; DK weight (228 yards/115g per skein); pattern uses approximately 195 yds or one skein. Shown in the Tannenbaum colorway.

Needles:
Size A: US 6 (4.0 mm) 16” circular needles, or size needed to obtain gauge.
Size B: US 5 (3.75 mm) 16” circular needles, or a needle one size smaller than Size A.
You will also need a set of Size A DPNs to decrease for the crown, or you may use your preferred method for small circumference knitting.

Gauge:
30 sts and 31 rows = 4”/10cm in pattern using columns 3-32 of the chart, after blocking.

Tools:
Cable needle (optional); tapestry needle; two stitch markers, including a unique marker to note BOR.

Skill Level:
Intermediate

Skills Required:
Cabling with or without a cable needle; rib cabled cast on; Kitchener stitch.